Contribution of serum vitamin B12 levels in the diagnosis of a vitamin deficiency

Abstract

Vitamin B12 belong a group of cobalamins. It's known to be an enzymatic cofactor of many metabolic reactions essentially in the synthesis of DNA. Damage of deficiency are various essentially hematologic and neurologic. Macrocytic anaemia constitute the main disorder of vitamin B12 deficiency. However, Vitamin B12 deficiency is common in the elderly with neuropsychiatric disorders whether macrocytic anaemia is present or not as its development may come later. In a study we investigates 35 patients aged of 21 to 81 years (29men, 06 women) with symptoms of vitamin B12 deficiency . First, vitamin B12 serum were measured by immuno enzymatic method (MEIA Abbott). Values were classified among 4 categories characterised on manufacture norms: low, unspecified, normal and high. Secondly, the concordance between Vitamin B12 serum, clinical history and evolution were evaluated. The Kappa index established showed a satisfactory result.